Getting Started with SQL Server 2025 Public Preview: A Step-by-Step Installation Guide

Are you ready for some new SQL Server database features? Let's get started installing SQL Server 2025 Preview!

New SQL Server 2025 Logo

First, we need to fill out a form, but then we can get to all of the fun. Go to https://info.microsoft.com/ww-landing-sql-server-2025.html, fill out the form to get to the download page.

On the next page, click the 64-bit edition exe download.

Select the location to save your file.

Once downloaded, run the executable and select the location to download all of the SQL Server media.

You have several options for your installation type, and I've selected 'Custom' in this example.

Once downloaded, it will open up the SQL Server Installation Center, and click on 'Installation'.

I'm installing this on my computer so that I can perform a standalone installation. However, before we proceed, we need to uninstall PolyBase if it is already installed.

*** IMPORTANT NOTE ***
If you already have SQL Server 2019 or 2022 installed with PolyBase, you will need to uninstall it first. Click here to see instructions on how to uninstall PolyBase from SQL Server 2022. 

*** Note *** You can install SQL Server 2025 Preview side by side with another SQL installation. Currently, I also have SQL Server 2022 Development Edition installed.

The free 'Evaluation' edition is already selected, click 'Next'.

Check the 'I accept the license terms and Privacy Statement' and click 'Next'.

It then runs through some tests and, if successful, click 'next'.

If you want to enable 'Azure Extensions for SQL Server' click the box and then use your login or service principal. For testing, I used my Azure Login to configure.

Note: This option seemed to be skipped the next time I installed SQL Server 2025 on the same machine after uninstalling.

Select the Instance Features you wish to install, and specify the 'Instance Root Path' and click 'Next'.

Usually, for CTPs, Preview, and older versions, I use a 'Named Instance' because I typically have a GA version as my default. I decided to use 'SQL2025' for this instance. Once selected, click 'Next' to continue.

Since I have selected PolyBase, I need to identify the ports I wish to use. I left these at the default and then clicked 'Next'.

For the Server Configuration, Service Accounts, I recommend using a service account, as well as for any Dev, QA, or Production installations.

If you do not have one on your local computer, it's easy to create one. Go to your computer's local user accounts and create a SQL Service account, add it to the local admin group, then add that account to all of the 'Service Accounts' services below and enter the password.

Always ensure that the 'Grant Perform Volume Maintenance Tasks' box is checked if the service account is not in the Admin Group, so the engine can quickly expand your data files without needing to zero out each growth. Once complete, click 'Next' to continue.

On this tab, you can specify your Authentication Mode. Be sure to add yourself to the Specify SQL Administrators box below, so you can administer the server, and then click on the 'Data Directories' tab.

Specify where you want your databases to be placed. If I have multiple versions or instances installed on my computer, I will specify the version in the folder structure. (i.e. C:\MyDatabases\2025\). Once finished, click on the 'TempDB' tab.

Here you can select your TempDB file location, size, and number of files. For local instances to test, I usually leave the size and number as the default and change the location similar to above, so I can have multiple instances of TempDB as needed. (i.e. C:\MyDatabases\2025\). Once you have finished configuring, click on the 'MaxDOP' tab.

Unless you want to limit this instance, I would leave it at the suggested MaxDOP. Click the 'Memory' tab.

Using the recommended maximum server memory is essential for your local instance, as you don't want SQL Server to slow down your local machine. If this becomes an issue, you can lower it or even stop the service when you're not using it, and set the default to 'manual' for the service. Check to box to accept the recommended configuration, and click on the 'FILESTREAM' tab.

If you plan to use FILESTREAM, configure it and then click 'Next'.

Now you are ready to install. Click the 'Install' button to continue. If you want to perform this same install later, make note of your configuration path so you can grab your ConfigurationFile.ini for your next install.

If the installation succeeds, you will see all green checkmark circles and 'Installation successful'. Click 'Close' to start using SQL Server 2025!

SSMS, Reporting Services, and SSDT are separate installations, and those links can be found on the 'Installation' page where we selected our 'stand-alone instance' install at the very beginning.

Note: SSIS support does not currently exist in the new SSMS 21. (https://techcommunity.microsoft.com/blog/sqlserver/sql-server-management-studio-ssms-21-is-now-generally-available-ga/4415230)

This means that you will still need SSMS 20 installed if you need to support SSIS from within SSMS. Below is SSMS 20 on the left and SSMS 21 on the right.